By R.L. Bynum
The fifth of the six Carolina players to enter the transfer portal has committed.
Will Shaver, who played only six minutes over three games for Carolina before getting hurt, will play at Belmont with likely four years remaining eligibility.
“Nashville what’s up?” Shaver said in announcing his plans on social media.
Belmont went 21–11 last season, going 14–6 in the Missouri Valley Conference and losing 94–91 to Indiana State in the first round of the league’s tournament. The Bruins last made the NCAA tournament in 2019.
Shaver’s only points as a Tar Heel were two free throws in the four-overtime 104–101 loss to Alabama. He only attempted one shot and pulled down one rebound, both coming in the 100–67 victory over The Citadel.
Shaver broke a bone in his left foot during practice before the 80–76 Dec. 21 win against Michigan in Charlotte and had season-ending surgery.
He was a redshirt freshman last season after joining the program at the start of the spring semester during the 2021–22 season. He practiced with the team that season but didn’t play.
Four of the other players transferring out of Carolina’s program have committed: Caleb Love (Michigan), Dontrez Styles (Georgetown), Tyler Nickel (Virginia Tech) and Justin McKoy (Hawaii.). Puff Johnson hasn’t committed yet but was scheduled to visit Butler this week.
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Roster assuming all players with eligibility other than Caleb Wilson, Luka Bogavac, Isaiah Denis, Derek Dixon, Kyan Evans, Jonathan Powell, James Brown and Zayden High return and the players in the incoming freshman class hold in their commitment (Dylan Mingo has reopened his recruitment), which would put UNC six under the 15-player limit. The class for next season is listed.
| No./ Stars | Class | Player | Pos. | Hgt | Wgt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 star | Freshman | Maximo Adams | SF | 6–7 | 205 |
| 4 star | Freshman | Malloy Smith | CG | 6–5 | 190 |
| Sophomore | Neoklis Avdalas — X | G | 6–5 | 215 | |
| 40 | Junior | Ivan Matlekovic | 5 | 7–0 | 255 |
| 4 | Senior | Jaydon Young | G | 6–4 | 200 |
| 13 | RS senior | Henri Veesaar | 5 | 7–0 | 225 |
| 15 | Senior | Jarin Stevenson | 4 | 6–10 | 215 |
| Walk-ons | |||||
| 25 | Junior | John Holbrook | 4 | 6–8 | 230 |
| 32 | Senior | Evan Smith | 2 | 6–1 | 195 |
X — Virginia Tech transfer
In transfer portal
| Player | Class next season | Pos. | Hgt | Wgt | Next school |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Bogavac | Senior | W | 6–6 | 215 | Oklahoma State |
| James Brown | Senior | C | 6–10 | 240 | |
| Isaiah Denis | Sophomore | G | 6–4 | 180 | |
| Derek Dixon | Sophomore | G | 6–5 | 200 | Arizona |
| Kyan Evans | Senior | G | 6–2 | 175 | |
| Zayden High | Junior | C | 6–10 | 230 | |
| Jonathan Powell | Junior | G | 6–6 | 190 | Pittsburgh |
Key offseason dates
Last Tuesday — Transfer portal opened
Thursday — Deadline to request evaluation from the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee
11:59 p.m. April 21 — Transfer portal closes
11:59 p.m. April 26 — NBA early-entry deadline
May 8–10 — G-League Combine in Chicago
May 10 — NBA Draft Lottery
May 10–17 — NBA Draft Combine in Chicago
May 27 (11:59 p.m.) — NCAA early-entry withdrawal deadline
Week of June 22 (date to be determined) — NBA Draft
Photo via @UNC_Basketball
